It's Blake Lively's Birthday, So Here Are All Her Best Looks

(Image credit: Rex)

published 18 August 2017

Ultimate girl crush, right here

I've got to be honest with you, I've got a major girl crush on Blake Lively that goes way beyond her role as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl.

I mean don't get me wrong, S knew her Chanel handbags from her Louboutin heels, and who can forget that gold Georges Chakra wedding dress?

But Blake Lively's iconic style goes way beyond the silver screen. She hits just the right sartorial notes between girl next door and Hollywood star. Can you actually believe Blake doesn't have a stylist?

The actress likes to mix things up when it comes to fashion - whether she's gone uber-glam in Marchesa or effortlessly chic in Michael Kors, Blake's style is always killer and seriously on point. Chanel and Prabal Gurung are among the other designer labels that Blake loves to covet when she hits the red carpet.

Even though picking my favourite outfits is tough, I do adore her more old Hollywood glamour looks. Think the red feathered gown she donned for The Age Of Adaline premiere in New York, the monochrome Gucci ballgown she wore in Cannes in 2014 (scrap that, her entire Cannes wardrobe is fantastic), or the rose gold Gucci dress she wore to the 2014 Met Gala.

But that doesn't mean she's not afraid to take some risks too, if the Atelier Versace gold/feather dress she wore to the 2017 Met Gala is anything to go by.

And don't even get me started on Blake Lively's maternity style either. Oh ok, I will anyway. While expecting both of her daughters with Ryan Reynolds, she was determined not to put one of her Jimmy Choo-clad feet out of line.

Her earlier sartorial choices also make me quite nostalgic: Sheer tops and off-the-shoulder dresses were just a few of her most memorable pieces after she bagged a role in hit film The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants alongside Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel.

Take note as we chart Blake Lively's style history, starting with her most recent looks before going right back to her early days in the spotlight.

Blake Lively

On mere mortals, this neon Oscar de la Renta dress might look too OTT, but on Blake, it works.

Blake Lively

At the 2017 Met Gala, Blake wore a daring gold Atelier Versace dress adorned with blue feathers, as n homage to the Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between theme.

Blake Lively

Blake nailed it at NYFW in this floral Michael Kors dress.

Blake Lively

Mixing and matching houndstooth, polka dots and checks like an absolute pro.

Blake Lively

All the tassels in Elie Saab.

Blake Lively

In Atelier Versace at the Golden Globes 2017.

Blake Lively

Blake wore this blue Atelier Versace dress for her first official family outing in December 2016, when Ryan Reynolds got a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

Blake Lively

Blake looked super glam in August 2016 - just a month before she gave birth to her second child - in this stunning black and white detailed dress.

Blake Lively in New York

Blake Lively wears Diane Von Furstenberg whilst out in New York, July 2016.

Blake Lively

Most recently, Blake wore this cut-out Versace jumpsuit for an appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers. Who said maternity wear had to be boring?

Blake Lively

Blake attended the premiere of her new movie The Shallows, covering her blooming baby bump in a tulle Carolina Herrera confection.

Blake Lively

Blake's Atelier Versace dress was the jewel in the crown of her Cannes 2016 wardrobe.

Blake Lively

For a less formal event in Cannes, Blake switched to a mini length with this Giambattista Valli number.

Blake Lively

Blake looks every inch the red carpet princess in this Versace gown at Cannes 2016.

Blake Lively

Blake's Vivienne Westwood gown is so pretty, we'd say it could be bridalwear.

Blake Lively

For her first appearance since announcing that she was pregnant with her second child, Blake chose this organza Burberry gown. The occasion? The Met Ball 2016.

Blake Lively

Blake wore a stunning Jason Wu satin wrap dress to attend a state dinner with her husband Ryan Reynolds in Washington.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively styles a floor-length black and pink floral dress with a pair of striped sandals for an outing in LA. To complement her summery look, she twists her long blonde hair into a loose braid. Totally a hairstyle we'll be recycling come festival and wedding season.

Blake Lively

Now Blake's style is always on point. She's married to the equally hot Ryan Reynolds and the couple had their first daughter, James, in 2015.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively certainly isn't afraid to get experimental with busy prints and bright colours.

In SoHo to talk about her flick The Age Of Adaline at the Apple store, she is hard to miss in an extremely striking ensemble.

She layers a multitonal jacket over a short mini decorated with the same eye-catching burgundy, green and cream pattern.

Armed with the knowledge that a pair of heels can totally make or break an outfit, Blake plays it safe by slipping on a pair of towering platform sandals in the same deep red shade.

The actress pulls her long blonde hair into a casual ponytail to avoid going OTT.

It's a bold move from Blake but we like it. It's something we can imagine her Gossip Girl alter ego Serena van der Woodsen rocking.

Blake Lively

In Chanel at Cannes 2014.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively demonstrates her knowledge of the latest catwalk trends when she's snapped wearing pastels in New York.

A pair of loose-fitting lilac trousers and long overcoat in the same sugary shade is her outfit of choice for a day promoting her movie The Age Of Adaline.

She leaves her long golden hair to fall past her shoulders in relaxed waves, adding to her fresh spring vibe.

We hope Blake helps to encourage other new mums to embrace bold colours too.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively is hard to miss when she arrives to discuss her latest film The Age Of Adaline with the hosts of Good Morning America.

For her appearance on the New York breakfast show, Blake goes for a Roksanda Ilincic dress and matching blue and yellow dress.

Not many people could pull off such a bold look - especially so early in the day. We applaud your bravery, Blake.

Blake Lively

The leading destination for fashion, beauty, shopping and finger-on-the-pulse views on the latest issues. Marie Claire's travel content helps you delight in discovering new destinations around the globe, offering a unique – and sometimes unchartered – travel experience. From new hotel openings to the destinations tipped to take over our travel calendars, this iconic name has it covered.